Allgäu wellness inn
Run across generations by the Kaufmann family, this village inn balances hearty Allgäu cooking with spacious thermal saunas.
What it’s good at
Notable
A light-flooded pool house and panoramic window saunas look out toward the mountains.
Listed
Austrian architect Thomas Barbist paired floor-to-ceiling spa glazing with reclaimed barn wood.
What they say
Michelin Selected
Michelin
Once a country inn, the Kaufmann is now a modern holiday hotel not far from the lake, Forggensee.
Somewhere quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Lake Forggensee lies just down the road, and quiet paths lead straight into the Allgäu foothills.
The rooms
Bedrooms range from traditional Alpine quarters to minimalist spaces lined in reclaimed barn wood and solid oak.
The pool and gym
Bring a swimsuit.
Bubble loungers and a waterfall line the 15-meter stainless steel pool, set beside a fitness room with cardio equipment.
The saunas
Tiered timber benches sit behind glass facing an outdoor water feature, with an ice fountain and steam bath nearby.
The spa
Three treatment cabins offer massages with local alpine herbal oils, and curved partitions shelter quiet loungers in the relaxation room.
At the table
Brothers Hans-Georg and Karl-Heinz Kaufmann serve fresh Forggensee fish and local dishes across the pine-paneled dining room and winter garden.
How it began
Johann and Wilhelmine Kaufmann built the guesthouse on family land in 1966, starting with just sixteen rooms.
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Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.